Matthew 22

The Parable of the Wedding Celebration

1 And continuing, Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying,

2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man--a king--who gave a wedding celebration for his son.

3 And he sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the wedding celebration, and they did not want to come.

4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened [cattle] have been slaughtered, and everything [is] ready. Come to the wedding celebration!" '

5 But they paid no attention [and] went away--this one to his own field, that one to his business.

6 And the others, seizing his slaves, mistreated [them] and killed [them].

7 And the king was angry and sent his troops [and] destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding celebration is ready, but those who had been invited were not worthy.

9 Therefore, go out to the [places where] the roads exit the city and invite to the wedding celebration as many [people] as you find.'

10 And those slaves went out into the roads [and] gathered everyone whom they found, both evil and good, and the wedding celebration was filled {with dinner guests}.

11 But [when] the king came in to see the {dinner guests}, he saw a man there not dressed [in] wedding clothes.

12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here, not having wedding clothes?' But {he could say nothing}.

13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Tie him up {hand and foot} [and] throw him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!'

14 For many are called but few [are] chosen."

Paying Taxes to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went {and consulted} so that they could entrap him with a statement.

16 And they sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and {you do not care what anyone thinks}, {because you do not regard the opinion of people}.

17 Therefore tell us what you think. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

18 But [because he] knew their maliciousness, Jesus said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

19 Show me the coin for the tax!" So they brought him a denarius.

20 And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription [is] this?"

21 They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!"

22 And [when they] heard [this], they were astonished, and they left him [and] went away.

A Question About Marriage and the Resurrection

23 On that day Sadducees--who say there is no resurrection--came up to him and asked him,

24 saying, "Teacher, Moses said if someone dies without having children, his brother is to marry his wife and {father} descendants for his brother.

25 Now there were seven brothers with us. And the first died [after] getting married, and [because he] did not have descendants, he left his wife to his brother.

26 So also the second and the third, up to the seventh.

27 And last of all the woman died.

28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her [as wife]."

29 But Jesus answered [and] said to them, "You are mistaken, [because] you do not know the scriptures or the power of God!

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

31 Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, who said,

32 "I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob"? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living!"

33 And [when] the crowds heard [this], they were amazed at his teaching.

The Greatest Commandment

34 Now [when] the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled at the same [place].

35 And one of them, a legal expert, put a question to [him] to test him:

36 "Teacher, which commandment [is] greatest in the law?"

37 And he said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

38 This is the greatest and first commandment.

39 And the second [is] like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

David’s Son and Lord

41 Now [while] the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them,

42 saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "David's."

43 He said to them, "How then does David, by the Spirit, call him 'Lord,' saying,

44 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet" '?

45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how is he his son?"

46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day [on] to ask him any more [questions].

Matthew 22 Commentary

Chapter 22

The parable of the marriage feast. (1-14) The Pharisees question Jesus as to the tribute. (15-22) The question of the Sadducees as to the resurrection. (23-33) The substance of the commandments. (34-40) Jesus questions the Pharisees. (41-46)

Verses 1-14 The provision made for perishing souls in the gospel, is represented by a royal feast made by a king, with eastern liberality, on the marriage of his son. Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures. There is enough and to spare, of every thing that can add to our present comfort and everlasting happiness, in the salvation of his Son Jesus Christ. The guests first invited were the Jews. When the prophets of the Old Testament prevailed not, nor John the Baptist, nor Christ himself, who told them the kingdom of God was at hand, the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent, after Christ's resurrection, to tell them it was come, and to persuade them to accept the offer. The reason why sinners come not to Christ and salvation by him, is, not because they cannot, but because they will not. Making light of Christ, and of the great salvation wrought out by him, is the damning sin of the world. They were careless. Multitudes perish for ever through mere carelessness, who show no direct aversion, but are careless as to their souls. Also the business and profit of worldly employments hinder many in closing with the Saviour. Both farmers and merchants must be diligent; but whatever we have of the world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ. The utter ruin coming upon the Jewish church and nation, is here represented. Persecution of Christ's faithful ministers fills up the measure of guilt of any people. The offer of Christ and salvation to the Gentiles was not expected; it was such a surprise as it would be to wayfaring men, to be invited to a royal wedding-feast. The design of the gospel is to gather souls to Christ; all the children of God scattered abroad, Joh. 10:16 Joh. 11:52 . The case of hypocrites is represented by the guest that had not on a wedding-garment. It concerns all to prepare for the scrutiny; and those, and those only, who put on the Lord Jesus, who have a Christian temper of mind, who live by faith in Christ, and to whom he is all in all, have the wedding-garment. The imputed righteousness of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, are both alike necessary. No man has the wedding-garment by nature, or can form it for himself. The day is coming, when hypocrites will be called to account for all their presumptuous intruding into gospel ordinances, and usurpation of gospel privileges. Take him away. Those that walk unworthy of Christianity, forfeit all the happiness they presumptuously claimed. Our Saviour here passes out of the parable into that which it teaches. Hypocrites go by the light of the gospel itself down to utter darkness. Many are called to the wedding-feast, that is, to salvation, but few have the wedding-garment, the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit. Then let us examine ourselves whether we are in the faith, and seek to be approved by the King.

Verses 15-22 The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus sees through it. Christ did not interpose as a judge in matters of this nature, for his kingdom is not of this world, but he enjoins peaceable subjection to the powers that be. His adversaries were reproved, and his disciples were taught that the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government. Christ is, and will be, the wonder, not only of his friends, but of his enemies. They admire his wisdom, but will not be guided by it; his power, but will not submit to it.

Verses 23-33 The doctrines of Christ displeased the infidel Sadducees, as well as the Pharisees and Herodians. He carried the great truths of the resurrection and a future state, further than they had yet been reveled. There is no arguing from the state of things in this world, as to what will take place hereafter. Let truth be set in a clear light, and it appears in full strength. Having thus silenced them, our Lord proceeded to show the truth of the doctrine of the resurrection from the books of Moses. God declared to Moses that he was the God of the patriarchs, who had died long before; this shows that they were then in a state of being, capable of enjoying his favour, and proves that the doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught in the Old Testament as well as in the New. But this doctrine was kept for a more full revelation, after the resurrection of Christ, who was the first-fruits of them that slept. All errors arise from not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God. In this world death takes away one after another, and so ends all earthly hopes, joys, sorrows, and connexions. How wretched are those who look for nothing better beyond the grave!

Verses 34-40 An interpreter of the law asked our Lord a question, to try, not so much his knowledge, as his judgment. The love of God is the first and great commandment, and the sum of all the commands of the first table. Our love of God must be sincere, not in word and tongue only. All our love is too little to bestow upon him, therefore all the powers of the soul must be engaged for him, and carried out toward him. To love our neighbour as ourselves, is the second great commandment. There is a self-love which is corrupt, and the root of the greatest sins, and it must be put off and mortified; but there is a self-love which is the rule of the greatest duty: we must have a due concern for the welfare of our own souls and bodies. And we must love our neighbour as truly and sincerely as we love ourselves; in many cases we must deny ourselves for the good of others. By these two commandments let our hearts be formed as by a mould.

Verses 41-46 When Christ baffled his enemies, he asked what thoughts they had of the promised Messiah? How he could be the Son of David and yet his Lord? He quotes ( Psalms 110:1 ) . If the Christ was to be a mere man, who would not exist till many ages after David's death, how could his forefather call him Lord? The Pharisees could not answer it. Nor can any solve the difficulty except he allows the Messiah to be the Son of God, and David's Lord equally with the Father. He took upon him human nature, and so became God manifested in the flesh; in this sense he is the Son of man and the Son of David. It behoves us above all things seriously to inquire, "What think we of Christ?" Is he altogether glorious in our eyes, and precious to our hearts? May Christ be our joy, our confidence, our all. May we daily be made more like to him, and more devoted to his service.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("paid no attention") has been translated as a finite verb
• [b]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [c]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [d]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("sent") has been translated as a finite verb
• [e]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went out") has been translated as a finite verb
• [f]. Literally "with those reclining at table"
• [g]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("came in") which is understood as temporal
• [h]. Literally "ones reclining at table"
• [i]. Literally "he was silent"
• [j]. Literally "feet and hands"
• [k]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("tie") has been translated as a finite verb
• [l]. Literally "took counsel"
• [m]. Literally "it is not a care to you concerning anyone"
• [n]. Literally "because you do not look at the face of men"
• [o]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("knew") which is understood as causal
• [p]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [q]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [r]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("left") has been translated as a finite verb
• [s]. Literally "raise up"
• [t]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("getting married") which is understood as temporal
• [u]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("have") which is understood as causal
• [v]. *The words "[as wife]" are not in the Greek text but are implied
• [w]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [x]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("know") which is understood as causal
• [y]. Some manuscripts omit "of God"
• [z]. A quotation from Exod 3:6
• [aa]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [ab]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ac]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [ad]. Or "they assembled together"
• [ae]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [af]. A quotation from Deut 6:5
• [ag]. A quotation from Lev 19:18
• [ah]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("assembled")
• [ai]. A quotation from Ps 110:1
• [aj]. *The word "[questions]" is not in the Greek text but is implied